There are a lot less homeless dogs and cats in the territory thanks to the passion and dedication of veterinarian Dr. Stacia Jung and veterinary technician Anna Loizeaux.
“Overpopulation is a disease, and spay and neuter is the cure,” Jung said. They are combating the disease by performing low-cost, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries through their own Sunshine Foundation on St. Croix.
“Animals can’t add or subtract but they sure can multiply,” Jung said.
Wednesday evening foundation cofounders Jung and Loizeaux, along with volunteers and foundation trustees celebrated their 1,000th spay/neuter surgery at a reception at the Sugar Mill headquarters in Estate La Grande Princesse.
Mark and Leslie Brumant’s dog, Butch, was the 1,000th surgery performed a few weeks ago.
“I am a dog lover, and it makes sense to get them fixed,” Mark Brumant said. “We don’t want too many homeless puppies around.” He said he had heard about the price and decided at just $25 he had to get Butch fixed at the foundation.
Operation End Overpopulation is working so well on St. Croix the foundation is collaborating with the Lucky Paws Foundation taking SNIP (Spay/Neuter Island Pets) to the Barktober Fest on St. Thomas on Oct. 23 and 24.
Jung will lead a trained team that will perform surgeries at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in a mobile spay/neuter unit that was recently donated by the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
“Over the two-day event our team will strive to do at least 100 procedures,” Jung said. Appointments are a must, so call 690-3335. She added there will be an ongoing collaboration with Lucky Paws.
Jung and Loizeaux have performed 4,000 surgeries since they started working together at the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center four years ago. Jung says that is potentially 12,000 animals that will never contribute to the island’s overpopulation and homelessness problem. Jung says there is a direct relation between increasing procedures and decreasing euthanasia in the community.
The pair, who Jung described as kindred spirits, have accomplished a lot since Operation End Overpopulation began in February 2009.
To humanely brake the reproductive cycle of feral cats they have a trap, neuter, vaccinate and return program. They also are in the process of working with the Bureau of Corrections to have inmates build 50 cat feeding stations. The stations in the Feral Cafe program are placed at hotels, restaurants, schools and any neighborhood where feral cat colonies need to be addressed.
“I just wish everybody knew about these programs and would get on board,” said Linda Hoose, volunteer feral cat coordinator.
Barry Aldrich, foundation development director, showedoff the sugar mill that was renovated as an operating and recovery room, specifically for the foundation, on the grounds of Jung’s veterinary practice.
Aldrich said there are numerous ways volunteers can assist as he pointed out a long list of ways to help cure the disease.
To promote the programs volunteers do outreach at local events, hold annual fundraisers and "friendraisers." And Loizeaux rides around the island to bring about awareness of overpopulation on St. Croix on the black Neuter Scooter that is painted like a cat.
The hope of the volunteers, trustees and founders is for every companion animal born on St. Croix to have a home.
The surgeries are performed every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information about the foundation go to www.sunshinefoundationstx.org.
